Dispenser for rolled tissues



1959 w. A. PINKHAM, JR

DISPENSER FOR ROLLED TISSUES Filed Jan, 29, 1954 J 4 WM m u q m fl w F mm f v A A m .H W w 3 fl fi V/ W fl Z WW I Z 5 mm m W 9% 4 I a m a 8 5 "J42. WW fi/ 4 22 4 22 x .F M W Z a 9 I United States Patent 2,873,158 DISPENSER 'FOR ROLLED TISSUES William A. Pinkham, In, Fort Worth, Tex. Application January 29, 1954, Serial No. 406,947

2 Claims. (Cl. 31239) This invention relates to dispensing devices for rolled tissues, such as toilet tissues, towels, napkins, and the like, commonly produced in rolls, and it has particular reference to an enclosed container for toilet tissues which can be arranged in a wall cavity, and its principal object resides in the provision of a device by which such tissues can be readily accessible at all times While enclosed in an attractive container which can be partially recessed into a wall and thus hidden from view.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a device by which a roll of tissues can be more readily preserved against waste through excessive unrolling, or damaged by moisture, dust, and other elements, so that economy is served by the use of the device.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a dispensing receptacle which can be easily replenished, as required, without the necessity of removing the core of an expended roll from a conventional roller supported in a bracket and replacing the same after insertion through a fresh roll, affording a device by which the latter can be placed in position for use by simply inserting the roll into the wall container.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a dispenser for toilet tissues which can be economically produced and installed in walls of new or old construction with a minimum of difliculty, and provide an attractive and desirable enclosure for the tissues which generally detract from the appearance of the room when installed on conventional dispensing devices.

While'the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of the invention shown installed in a wall cavity, and showing a roll of toilet tissues therein in broken lines.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, on lines 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the bottom interior of the housing in plan and illustrating the longitudinal rollers for supporting a roll of tissues.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the invention, a portion being cut away to illustrate the mounting for the housing in a wall cavity, and

Figure 4 is a perspective illustration of the invention installed in a wall, showing the hinged cover therefor.

Accordingly, the invention comprises a generally cylindrical housing which has semi-circular end members 11 and has a portion 12 at the bottom 13 which extends beyond the straight edges 14 of the end members 11 to provide an apron and a suitable receptacle for a roll of tissues 15, as shown in Figure 1. An opening 16 is thus defined in the outer side of the housing 10 through which the roll of tissues can be inserted into the latter and dispensed therefrom.

The bottom 13 of the housing 10 has a plurality of slots 17 formed axially thereof and spaced laterally to accommodate rollers 18 whose ends have rounded lugs Patented Feb. 10, 1959 19 formed thereon which are extended into complementary depressions 19' in the depending tabs 20 forming parts of the bottom 13 of the housing 10 and turned downwardly at right angles therefrom at each end of each of the slots 17, as apparent in Figure 1.

The rollers 18 are free to rotate and extend partially into the slots 17 above the bottom 13 of the housing 10 to provide a bearing for the roll of tissues 15. This arrangement will obviate the necessity for a central pivot or roller for the roll of tissues 15 and thus insure greater convenience in renewing the tissues, a roll of which can be easily deposited through the opening 16 after the core of the used roll has been removed.

The housing 10 has flanges 21, 22 and 23 formed thereon along the top and each end of the housing 10, and these flanges are formed with offsets 24 which space the outer portions of the flanges 21 from the wall 23, in which a cavity 24' is formed to receive the housing 10 as shown in Figure 1, to define a continuous channel 25 across the top and both ends of the housing 10 whose function will presently become manifest.

An angular strip 26 is attached to the under surface of the bottom 13 of the housing 10 and joins the lower ends of the end flanges 22 and 23 so that. these flanges, with the top flange 21 and the member 26, afford a facing by which the housing 10 can be secured to mounting brackets 27, at each end of the cavity 24', and gauge the depth at which the housing 10 can be projected into the cavity 24'. The brackets 27 are securedto the inner walls of the wall cavity'24' by suitable screws 28, or other device, and the housing 10 is attached to tabs 29 formed with the outer ends of the brackets 27 by screws 30.

The brackets 27 are formed substantially U-shaped in transverse section, as shown in Figure 3, to provide ways to slidably receive horizontal bosses 31 formed in each end member 11 and which support the housing 10 in a manner providing for its ready removal from the cavity 24 after removing the screws 30.

A frame 32, formed of an attractive metal or plastic material, is provided to embrace the top flange 21 and the end flanges 22 and 23 to eifect an attractive trim or finish for the dispenser. It is desirable that the frame 32 be bevelled and turned inwardly to provide a flange 33 to enter the channel 25 along the top flange 21 and the end flanges 22 and 23 whereby the frame 32 can be slidably and securely attached to the housing 10 without the use of screws or other device.

A hood or cover 34, which can be of any desired form, is hinged along its upper rim 35 to the top member of the frame 32 and depends to cover the opening 16 and extend therebelow past the apron 12, as shown in Figure 1, and is open at the bottom so that the tissues 15 can be dispensed therethrough in front of the apron 12 whose outer edge has a rounded bead 36 formed therealong to expedite movement of the tissues thereover, as indicated by the broken line in Figure 1.

The cover 34 is latched at the bottom through the medium of a friction catch 37 at the lowermost end of the cover 34 and on each side thereof, the catches 37 comprising a pair of tabs 38 attached to each of the side members of the frame 32 and extending outwardly therefrom, complementary bosses being formed in the tabs 38 and the side wall members 39 of the cover 34, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. An opening 40 is provided in the cover 34 through which the roll of tissues 15 can be observed without lifting the cover 34.

Obviously, there are certain changes and modifications which can be made in the form and construction of the invention from time to time, by persons skilled in the ae'ran as art, without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A wall receptacle for rolled toilet tissue comprising a substantially semi-cylindrical housing receivable in a recess provided therefor in a wall surface, the housing having a pair of semi-circular end portions, the straight edges of which are adapted to be aligned with the wall surface, and a continuous arcuate wall portion connecting the arcuate edges of the end portions and extending outwardly and upwardly substantially 45 degrees beyond the lower ends of the straight edges of the end portions, a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots being formed in the underside of the Wall portion, a pair of longitudinal rollers, one of the rollers being positioned in each of the slots and each of the rollers being pivotally connected at its ends to a pair of depending tabs. formed on the Wall portion adjacent the ends of the corresponding slot, and a hinged cover for the receptacle, the end portions of the housing each having an outwardly projecting, nor' mally horizontal elongated boss for sliding engagement with a corresponding bracket attachable to an end wall of the recess, whereby the housing may be slidably inserted in the recess, the bracket being substantially U- shaped in transverse section and having a tab formed on its outer end for attachment to the housing.

2. A wall receptacle for rolled toilet tissue comprising a substantially semi-cylindrical housing receivable in a recess provided therefor in a wall surface, the housing having a pair of semi-circular end portions, the straight edges of which are adapted to be aligned with the wall surface, and a continuous arcuate wall portion connecting the arcuate edges of the end portions and extending, out wardly and upwardly substantially 45' degrees beyond the lower ends of the straight edges of the end portions, a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal slots being formed in the under side of the wall portion, a pair of longitudinal rollers, one of the rollers being positioned in each of the slots and each of the rollers being pivotally connected at its ends to a pair of depending tabs formed on the wall portion adjacent the ends of the corresponding slot, and a hinged cover for the receptacle, the housing having a top flange, a pair of end flanges and a bottom flange for overlapping engagement with the adjacent wall surface surrounding the recess, the top flange being formed by an upwardextension of the arcuate wall portion of the housing, the endflanges being formed by lateral extensions of the end portions and the bottom flange consisting of an angular strip attached to the under side of the wall portion and extending below the end flanges, the outer edges-of the top flange and the end flanges being offset whereby they are normally spaced apart fromv the wall surface, a frame having a top portion and a pair of end portions. corresponding to the top flange and the end flanges. and. having crimped outer edges for sliding engagement with the outer edges of the respective flanges, the hinged cover for the receptacle being, pivotally connected to the top portion of the frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 520,221 Reid May 22, 1894 1,958,080 Bottker et' a1. May 8, 1934 2,038,822 Bins Apr. 28, 1 936 2,220,230 Gilbert Nov. 5, 1940 2,374,586 Dessaur Apr. 24, 1945 

